RevolutionNow: Benue Youths Stop Political Campaigns, Disrupt APC Aspirant’s Declaration In Fresh Revolt Over K!llings, Insecurity
#RevolutionNow: Benue Youths Stop Political Campaigns, Disrupt APC Aspirant’s Declaration In Fresh Revolt Over Killings, Insecurity
Sources said the disruption was not targeted at the aspirant alone but was meant as a broader message to the political class that campaigning cannot continue as normal while residents live in fear.
Tension is rising in Benue State as angry youths in the Apa Local Government Area have declared a suspension of political activities across the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, warning politicians to stay away from campaigns until security improves and communities under siege from violent attacks can enjoy peace.
The warning, issued under the banner of Apa youths and circulated on Friday, signals growing grassroots resistance against political actors amid worsening insecurity in parts of Benue, where repeated killings, kidnappings and attacks by armed groups have triggered outrage.
In a show of defiance, the youths reportedly disrupted the official declaration of an All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Apa State Constituency seat, Owoicho Godwin, in Ugbokpo, forcing the event to a halt.
Sources said the disruption was not targeted at the aspirant alone but was meant as a broader message to the political class that campaigning cannot continue as normal while residents live in fear.
According to the statement issued by the youths, all politicians across the federal constituency have been advised to immediately suspend political activities until what they described as “relative peace” returns to the area.
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“APA local government youths have given all politicians across Apa Agatu federal constituency an open advice to put on hold all political activities pending when we all enjoy relative peace in this federal constituency,” the statement read.
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The group claimed Owoicho Godwin was used as a “scapegoat” during the action in Ugbokpo, insisting the disruption of his declaration was symbolic and intended to serve as a warning to all political actors.
“Hon Owoicho Godwin, an APC aspirant for Apa State Constituency under the APC platform, was used as a scapegoat today in Ugbokpo where his official declaration was stalled by Apa youths,” the statement added.
The youths also issued a direct threat of resistance against any politician who ignores the directive.
“All politicians are advised to strictly adhere to this instruction because failure to adhere to this instruction will be met with stiff resistance and daring consequences.”
The development underscores growing frustration among residents who have repeatedly accused political leaders of abandoning communities facing deadly attacks while focusing on elections and power struggles.
The protest is also being linked by some observers to the growing influence of protest-driven political resistance, with references to #RevolutionNow — the movement championed by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore — appearing in messages circulated alongside the warning.
Though the youths did not explicitly declare affiliation with Sowore’s movement, invoking #RevolutionNow suggests an attempt to frame the action as part of a wider resistance against governance failure and insecurity.
The hashtags attached to the statement, including #ProtectBenue, #StopTheKilling, #SecureApaAgatu and #Insecurities, further point to anger rooted in persistent violence rather than conventional partisan rivalry.
Benue has remained one of Nigeria’s flashpoints of insecurity, with many communities in recent years suffering deadly attacks blamed on armed herders, bandits and other criminal groups, while residents continue to accuse authorities of failing to provide protection.
Friday’s action in Ugbokpo may now mark a dangerous turning point, as frustrated citizens appear to be shifting from protest to direct confrontation with politicians they believe have failed them.
